The Chevrolet Traverse has long held its place as a reliable and versatile midsized three-row crossover, beloved by families in suburban areas. With the 2024 model year, Chevrolet has completely redesigned the Traverse, adding new features and capabilities, including the off-road-oriented Z71 package. This new version combines rugged off-road capabilities with the comfort and practicality that have made the Traverse a favorite among many. Let’s dive into what makes the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 AWD stand out in this competitive segment.
Redesigned for a More Rugged Look
The third-generation Chevrolet Traverse has undergone a significant transformation, adopting a more mature and truck-like appearance. The new design is more upright, with a front end that closely resembles its larger siblings, the Tahoe and Suburban. The bold styling gives the Traverse a more commanding presence on the road, making it almost as large as the Tahoe, with an overall length just under a foot shorter. Despite this rugged new look, the Traverse retains its practicality and comfort, making it a great choice for both everyday driving and occasional off-road adventures.
Performance and Driving Experience
Under the hood, the 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 features a new 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine produces 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, offering more power than the outgoing V6 model. However, the engine’s sound is somewhat harsh and can be intrusive in the cabin, which might be a downside for some drivers.
The turbocharged engine, while powerful, does suffer from some turbo lag, particularly from a standstill. This can make the Traverse feel a bit sluggish when starting, but once up to speed, it delivers a solid and predictable performance. The new Traverse is slightly heavier than the previous generation, weighing in at about 200 pounds more, which contributes to its 0-60 mph time of 7 seconds—decent but not exceptional for its class.
The Traverse Z71 comes equipped with all-terrain tires mounted on stylish 18-inch wheels, enhancing its off-road capabilities. However, these tires also introduce some play in the steering, making it feel softer than expected. Additionally, the front-wheel-drive-biased all-wheel-drive system can cause the front tires to lose grip when accelerating out of a turn, which may affect driver confidence. Despite these issues, the 1.2-inch suspension lift on the Z71 trim doesn’t negatively impact its on-road stability, making it a capable but not hardcore off-roader.
Fuel Efficiency
The switch to a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine has improved the Traverse’s fuel efficiency compared to the outgoing V6 model. The front-wheel-drive version of the Traverse can achieve up to 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. However, the all-wheel-drive Z71 trim, with its off-road tires, sees slightly lower fuel efficiency, with EPA estimates of 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. While this is a modest improvement over the previous generation, it is still competitive within the midsized crossover segment.
Interior and Technology
The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse features a completely redesigned interior that is both spacious and family-friendly. The dashboard is dominated by a large 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen that integrates many of the vehicle’s controls, including the LED headlights. Additionally, there is an 11-inch digital gauge cluster that provides essential driving information with customizable displays, although some users might find the customization process slightly confusing.
One of the standout features of the new Traverse is the integration of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is becoming less common in GM’s newer models, especially their EVs. The Traverse also includes a wireless charging pad with active cooling, ensuring that your phone stays cool while charging.
Physical controls for the automatic climate system are conveniently located below the touchscreen, with redundant controls available on the screen itself. The large volume knob on the top left of the touchscreen is a nice touch, offering quick access to essential functions like the headlights, surround-view camera, and lane-keep assist.
The Traverse Z71 offers a 7-passenger configuration with comfortable front seats that include heating. The second-row captain’s chairs are adjustable, allowing for easy access to the third row, which is surprisingly spacious and comfortable, even for adults. The base LS trim comes with an 8-passenger configuration, while the LT trim offers it as an option. The Z71 and RS trims are limited to the 7-passenger setup.
Cargo space in the Traverse is generous, with a deep storage area beneath the removable cargo floor. However, folding down the third-row seats requires sliding the second-row seats forward, which can be inconvenient. Despite this, the overall cargo space is ample, and the smart power liftgate makes access easy.
Safety Features
The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 comes equipped with a host of advanced safety features, including the optional Super Cruise system. This system is highly intelligent, offering features like automatic lane changes and the ability to nudge the vehicle slightly to avoid larger vehicles. Other standard safety features include lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and emergency braking. The surround-view camera system and adaptive cruise control further enhance the vehicle’s safety. Additionally, the Traverse includes a buckle-to-drive feature that requires front passengers to buckle their seatbelts before the vehicle can be driven.
Pricing
The Chevrolet Traverse has always been known for offering good value, and the 2024 model continues this tradition. The base model starts at $37,600, making it a reasonably priced option in the midsized crossover segment. However, as you move up the trim levels, the price can quickly rise. The fully loaded Traverse Z71 AWD, as tested, comes in at $54,050. Despite this, the Traverse offers a feature-packed package that remains competitive with other vehicles in its class. Additionally, buyers can often find great deals through local dealers, making the Traverse an even more attractive option.
